Family-owned and operated since 1957, Graham’s Living opened its first store in Memphis. Founders, Dottie and Jimmy Graham along with their son, Jim Graham, got their start by hand-making exterior lanterns—now an iconic staple for historic Memphis homes. The Graham family branded their hand-fabricated copper, brass and forged steel fixtures as Fourteenth Colony in 1980. That same year, they began importing high-end, luxury light fixtures from Europe. As their business of sourcing one-of-a-kind, opulent lighting continued to grow, the Graham’s set their sights on expansion into Nashville.
In 1997, Grahams’ granddaughter, Ginger Graham Smith and her husband, Randy Smith, relocated to Nashville to open the third location for Graham’s Lighting (Now Graham’s Living). Now a fourth-generation family business, Graham’s has been servicing the greater Nashville area for more than twenty years. In keeping with family tradition, Graham’s Living continues to source high-end European chandeliers – a legacy purchase for any Nashville home. Broadening its collection over the years, Graham’s Living is now home to one of the largest selections of lighting in the Southeast.
Seeing an opportunity to meet the growing needs of area residents, Graham’s Living also expanded into outdoor living in 2009, building what has also become one of the leading collections of high-end outdoor furniture in Middle Tennessee.Your Williamson had an opportunity to sit down with Randy and Ginger Smith, owners of Graham’s Living to learn about why they are the premier luxury lighting to living business in Williamson County.
Q. What is the most important thing to you as a small business owner?
A. We begin with our legacy to serve our customers well. We not only serve them but create relationships and foundations to build upon. We believe that consistency from start to finish is key to providing the service our customers and clients deserve and we can provide our customers with quality products and a diverse selection. Building a home can be very stressful. Our relationships with the builder and homeowner are important. That is why we build the relationships, and it is a joy and a privilege because at the end of the day the lighting is a very important part of the feel and personality of the home.
Q. Give us some history about how your business began in Williamson County and how your business has evolved?
A. When Graham’s was first built, it was one of the first buildings built on Cool Springs Blvd. Now we are part of a thriving and constantly growing business and commercial district. In the beginning, everyone was a new customer to us and now we are getting to work with repeat customers for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time in some instances.
But we still act as if our company is a small business. We have not changed our foundational beliefs as far as serving others and each other well. And yet we have grown and evolved. Once just a lighting business we now have transitioned to “Graham’s Living.” Our four main focuses are lighting, outdoor living, hardware, and interior accessories.
But we still act as if our company is a small business. We have not changed our foundational beliefs as far as serving others and each other well. And yet we have grown and evolved. Once just a lighting business we now have transitioned to “Graham’s Living.” Our four main focuses are lighting, outdoor living, hardware, and interior accessories.
Q. What is the next phase in your business?
A. We will continue to try and improve in all our divisions and product lines offered through our service and operations and continue to serve Williamson County and the Nashville area.
Q. What makes you unique and different from the competition?
A. We are a family owned (4th generation), business. The Graham’s Living family is made up of a great group of employees. Our company attitude that every single person makes up the team and plays a major role in the success of our company is key to our success. We also believe that if we make a mistake or something isn’t right - we will make it right. This is how we have gained and kept the trust of so many longtime clients and customers.
Q. What do you tell clients when helping them make Lighting Purchases?
A. Lighting is like the jewelry of the home; it makes up the personality and is the perfect finishing touch to pull the whole space together. It is supposed to make you feel good. Lighting is also easily changeable so it can adapt over time to different styles and trends. You can select lighting at any point. But we are unique in that we also have a family-owned manufacturing plant.
Fourteenth Colony Lighting offers traditionally crafted lanterns and chandeliers in a variety of historic and contemporary styles. Our light fixtures are entirely handmade by the tinsmiths and blacksmiths who train and work in our shop. No structural component in or on any of our lights is imported. We are one of the last lighting manufacturers to employ traditional metalsmithing techniques in our fabrication process from start to finish. This commitment to craft results in copper, brass, and forged steel lighting fixtures that are of the best possible structural and aesthetic integrity and the finest to be found in the lighting industry today. Whether you need a hall lantern for an estate property or simply a post lamp for a small bungalow, we have a fixture to meet your needs.
